Jointer type question...

I figure it’s more of a marketing ploy than something really useful.

I think that the only advantage to a parallelogram type is that the infeed table will stay a little closer to the
cutter head as it moves up and down.

I never take move that 1/16” at a time so it really doesn’t matter to me.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

Thanks Gary

Just found a post from Todd A Clippinger from about a year ago…

“The benefit of the parallelogram table is that the opening remains smaller or tighter to the cutter head as the depth is changed. I talked to a guy that had one in a 12” model, but that was because that is just the way it was offered, not because that is what he was trying to buy. He admitted it was nicer but was fairly indifferent about it. You might research it more.”

Guess that makes sense…

Thanks

-- Cheers!

They are supposed to be easeir to setup and hold there alginment better. Not really sure tho, as I am still using a pile of scrap ready for the recyclers.

If you are looking to spend a bit more for quality, I have seen the difference between regular cutters and spiral heads… My opinion is that the spiral head is the best investment. Next time I need new blades for my jointer, I plan to retrofit to a spiral head.

-- making sawdust....

I was speaking with a former rep from Powermatic; he stated that in some cases as the non-parallelogram jointer gets older and has a few miles on it that there is a chance that the infeed or outfeed tables will “sag” due to wear and tear on the dovetailed ?guideway? (the track the table slides in) which will require that you shim the offending guideway in order to make the tables co-planar once again.

Apparently this does not occur with the parallelogram jointer. But, I do not even own a jointer; what do I know….

:)

-- Chris

I use a parallelogram jointer and have had a few different standard types. They both will do the work very well if properly tuned. Shimming an older standard type is not a big issue. Just part of keeping any tool aligned. John

-- Oldworld, Fair Oaks, Ca